Court Dismisses Defamation Suit Against Firm

An Abuja-based businessman, Davies Abayomi Samson, earlier arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for alleged fraud, has had his case against Ronchess Global Resources Plc, Ronchess Group Plc and three of the company’s officials — Jackson Ukuevo, Temitope Adebosin, and Omo Umeadi, dismissed at an Abuja magistrate court.

The court sitting in Wuse Zone 2, Abuja presided over by Chief Magistrate Theresa Otu, delivered the ruling holding that the complaint was incompetent, and that the court lacked jurisdiction to entertain the matter.

Samson had accused the defendants of defaming his character through a public disclaimer issued by Ronchess Global Resources on July 19, 2025.

He claimed the publication falsely portrayed him as dishonest and untrustworthy, thereby damaging his reputation and business.

In response, the defendants challenged the suit’s competence, arguing that the complaint amounted to an abuse of court process, and that the magistrate court lacked the jurisdiction to adjudicate a defamation matter of such nature.

They also contended that the publication in question was a legitimate act of corporate self-defence against false claims and misrepresentations allegedly made by Samson.

After reviewing the arguments, the magistrate upheld the defendants’ objection, ruling that the claimant’s suit lacked merit, and that the court did not have jurisdiction to hear the case.

“This court, therefore, declines jurisdiction over the matter, and the direct complaint is accordingly dismissed,” the magistrate ruled.

LEADERSHIP had reported that Samson is also being probed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Lagos, following a criminal proceeding filed against him and his firm, Signature Advisory Limited over allegations of large-scale theft in June.

The anti-graft agency is prosecuting Samson and his firm before Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court, Lagos, on a one-count charge of stealing ₦190,791,494 belonging to Ronchess Global Resources Plc. He is to re-appear in court later this month.